Aug. 30, 2006
Box Score
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Senior forward Maggie DeFilippo's score with just under four minutes to play injected new momentum into Lafayette, but the team was unable to overcome a 2-1 deficit in the final minutes of the season-opener against Rutgers on Wednesday night at Rappolt Field.
DeFilippo converted on a penalty stroke with 66:12 on the clock, blasting the ball past Rutgers (2-1) keeper Leslie Kelly and into the back left corner of the net. The goal cut Lafayette's (0-1) deficit in half, 2-1, but the Leopards could not even the score as the clock ran out.
Rutgers drew first blood just 12:57 into the game, as junior forward Catherine Badolato caught a lucky bounce and deflected the ball just past Lafayette senior goalie Jill Lambert. The Scarlet Knights clung to a 1-0 advantage at the half.
Coming out of intermission, the teams exchanged possession throughout the opening 25 minutes of play before Rutgers were awarded four straight penalty corners with just under 10 minutes to go. The Scarlet Knights were unable to capitalize, but managed to maintain possession after the last attempt and put the game-winner away. Badolato found forward Carrie Grainger on the right corner and the sophomore snuck the go-ahead score in.
Despite the loss, Lambert enjoyed a solid first outing of the year, racking up ten saves. Rutgers' Rosalyn Wentko earned the start and managed a pair of saves in her 35 minutes of work. Kelly entered at the start of the second half.
Lafayette returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 3 at Cornell. A noon start is scheduled.
Game Notes:
-Three freshmen earned their first collegiate starts under head coach Ann Gold. Forward Caitlin Titus and midfielders Kelly Hilovsky and Amanda Saber appeared poised in their first outing. Classmates Natalie Bowden and Alison Schoch also saw minutes.
-Including Wednesday's match-up, Lafayette and Rutgers have seen a 2-1 outcome in each of their last three meetings. With the win, the Scarlet Knights evened the all-time series at 5-5.
